The next two stops of P.C. Chandra Goldlites Diva, in association with t2, were Presidency University and St. Xavier’s College. The contestants had to walk the ramp in western wear and introduce themselves, followed by an ethnic round, and a talent round called ‘3 Minutes to Fame’, from where three were picked for the final Q&A round. The winner from each college received a gift voucher for Rs 5,000 from P.C. Chandra Jewellers, while the first and second runners-up took home vouchers worth Rs 2,000 and Rs 1,000, respectively.  

PRESIDENCY UNIVERSITY 

3 MINUTES TO FAME:

The top five participants showcased their talent in the best way possible. Lokasree Dutta and Ritaja Roy recited Tomader Shishukanya and Megh Bolte Apotti Ki, respectively. Mimosa Ghorai danced to Phagun haway haway and Sanchari Bose performed to Mohe rang do laal. Komal Shaw matched steps to Desi girl.

QUESTION TIME:

If you had a magic wand, what would you change in this world?

Ritaja: If I had a magic wand I would provide shelter, food and an opportunity for education to children outside Central metro station. Even without a magic wand, if I get the chance I would do something for them.

Do you think that our country still has a gender bias?

Mimosa: Our country is still biased towards the third gender. In our university, we celebrate Gender Week, we try to put up the views and opinions of the third gender. They have come here and asserted that they are still looked down upon in society. Even as a female, I have faced gender bias. 

What is that one lesson that you have learnt as a child that still affects your life today?

Sanchari: To be the best version of myself. We don’t have to be like someone else for anyone. We have to present ourselves in the best way possible with confidence.

FIRST RUNNER-UP

“I have worked towards increasing my conversation skills and I got over my fear and nervousness. I feel great that I was able to present myself in a proper way,” said Mimosa Ghorai, a second-year life science student.

SECOND RUNNER-UP

“The best part about this event is that it gives a platform to girls who want to pursue modelling. I was fortunate that I got a platform to showcase my talent in front of such great people,” said Ritaja Roy, a second-year geology student.

JUDGE SPEAK: 

“Most of the girls who participate in P.C. Chandra Goldlites Diva are pretty unsure about their own talent. This platform fine-tunes and polishes that talent and puts it in front of a larger audience,” said actor Shaheb Bhattacherjee.

Text: Debolina Banerjee
Pictures: Koushik Saha

ST. XAVIER’S COLLEGE 

3 MINUTES TO FAME:

The top six participants showcased their talent by means of singing, dancing and acting. Soumi Chatterjee’s intense acting as a survivor of child molestation was appreciated by the judges. Rupsha Chatterjee performed to the beats of Saiyyan while Kiran Mondal danced to Ghoomar. Anushka Bakshi, a first-year student, danced to a track from Guru, while Shreya Gomes, a third-year student of BCom, sang Take Me To Your Heart. Emili Law, who is doing a course on IAS Guidance, sang Shubhro ashane.

QUESTION TIME:

What is your opinion on the gender bias in India? Do you think illiteracy is the only reason for the bias?

Soumi: The male-female ratio in India is quite low. The main reason is illiteracy and the backward mentality of people. However illiteracy is not the only reason because there are many educated people who believe women are inferior. 

Who do you think works more: a working woman or a housewife?

Kiran: I believe that both women work equally hard in their respective fields. They have their own individual roles and without either of them, we would not be able to function as we are doing now. 

If you have a choice of getting married to a very good person or a very successful person, who would you choose?

Rupsha: I would choose a good person because I believe that a good person would definitely succeed in life.

FIRST RUNNER-UP

“I wanted to win. I got upset after the results were out, but it’s a competition so anyone can win,” said Rupsha Chatterjee, a second-year multimedia and animation student.

SECOND RUNNER-UP

“I honestly did not expect to make it to the top six let alone be the second runner-up. I wasn’t very keen on walking today but my friend Varsha (Jindal) encouraged me,” said Kiran Mondal, a third-year mass communication and videography student.

JUDGE SPEAK:

“I think the participants in this season of P.C. Chandra Goldlites Diva are confident. They have all upped their game from the last season. It’s great for the contest,” said actor Shaheb Bhattacherjee.